Honorary "rare" construct denoting God ("come")

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the usage of an honorific construction where the morpheme rare (られ) is affixed on the verb as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, ko-rare-ru (来られる) or “come” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

Translation commentary on John 20:24

Verse 19 does not make explicit the size of the group of disciples gathered behind locked doors. However verse 24 intimates that it was the eleven (more precisely ten, since Thomas was missing) rather than the larger group of Jesus’ followers. The first resurrection scene was concluded with the appearance of Jesus to Mary, and the second scene reaches its climax in the revelation of Jesus to Thomas. For Thomas, see 11.16; 14.5; and 21.2.

Called the Twin may be rendered “his other name was the Twin” or “his nickname was Twin.” In some languages it is necessary to indicate whether a twin was the first or the second to be born. Unfortunately, there is no biblical information to guide the translator in the present case.

When Jesus came refers to Jesus’ appearance to the disciples after his resurrection. It may therefore be necessary to use such an expression as “when Jesus appeared to them” or “when Jesus showed himself to them.” Thus there will be no ambiguity or misunderstanding.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on John 20:24

Section 20:24–29

Jesus appeared to Thomas

Thomas was not in the room when Jesus showed himself to the other disciples. He did not believe the other disciples when they said that Jesus rose from the dead. He wanted to see himself. A week later Jesus showed himself to his disciples again and Thomas was there. He told Thomas to touch the wounds on his body. That way he would know that it was Jesus and believe that he had risen from the dead. When Thomas saw Jesus’ wounds, he realized that he was his Lord and his God.

Here are other possible section headings:

Jesus invited Thomas to touch his wounds
-or-
Thomas saw Jesus and believed
-or-
Thomas saw Jesus and realized that he was God

20:24

Now: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Now here introduces some background information. It is not a time word. The background information is that Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus went to them. This information explains why the disciples told Thomas that they had seen Jesus. Introduce the background information in this verse in a way that is natural in your language.

Thomas called Didymus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible transliterates as Didymus means “twin.” This disciple had two names: Thomas and Didymus. The name Thomas comes from a Hebrew word meaning “twin,” and Didymus is a Greek word meaning “twin.” See also the note at 11:16a and how you translated the same expression there. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

Thomas (called Didymus) (New International Version)
-or-
Thomas the Twin (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Thomas (nicknamed the Twin) (New Living Translation (2004))

one of the Twelve: The word Twelve here refers to the twelve (12) closest disciples of Jesus. This number included Judas, who was no longer a follower of Jesus and may have already died. Thomas was one of the 12 disciples whom Jesus specially chose. See Mark 3:14–15. In many languages it is good to make explicit who the Twelve refers to. See the way that you translated “disciple” in 20:19, 20. For example:

one of the twelve disciples (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
one of Jesus’ twelve ⌊chosen followers⌋

was not with the disciples when Jesus came: On Easter evening, Thomas was not in the room with the other disciples. He did not see Jesus then. Here are other ways to translate this expression:

was not with the disciples when Jesus came (New International Version)
-or-
was not present with the other disciples at the time when Jesus came to them
-or-
was absent the evening that Jesus appeared

General Comment on 20:24

This verse tells three things about Thomas. First, it tells his nickname, or an extra name that people sometimes called him. It also tells that he was one of the Twelve and that he was absent on Easter night when Jesus came. There are several ways to rearrange the information in this verse part. For example:

One of the Twelve, Thomas the Twin, was not with the rest when Jesus came. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Thomas, one of the twelve apostles, who was called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. (God’s Word)
-or-
On the day when Jesus appeared, Thomas (also called Twin), one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, was not with the other disciples.

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